Urbanna Oyster Festival November 4-5 2022
When you travel, one of the best ways to expertise a place is through the food. Every plate could be a story from the one who created it and made the places they represent.
Especially you can experience Virginia foods with the tastes of thoughtfully selected and carefully sourced local ingredients.
Across Virginia, you can find Virginia’s best and most delicious vegetables, heritage meats, savory cheeses, and of course, our signature Virginia oysters. And also you can enjoy the tastes of Virginia at an upcoming food oyster festival.
CONTENT
Virginia Oyster Festival Events
EXPERIENCE THE VIP OYSTER LOVER!
What is Virginia’s River Realm?
Special Things Regarding Virginia’s Oysters
Best 4 Places To Enjoy The Virginia Oyster in National Oyster Day
Urbanna Virginia Oyster Festival Overall
DATE
November 4th-5th, 2022
Time
Friday – 10 am to 8 pm
Saturday – 9 am to 5 pm
VENUE
Town of Urbanna. Urbanna, VA 23175
PRICES
- Parking Fee $20
- Friday $20
- Saturday $20
VIP Ticket Price
Friday 100$
Saturday 100$
VIP Tickets are only valid only for one day from 10 AM to 5 PM. All VIP Ticket holders must be above 21 years and your photo ID is required. You can purchase tickets online.
Parking
Parking for the Urbanna Oyster Festival is on the East and West sides of the town
On Friday Urbanna town will be closed for all vehicles from 5:00 PM to 9.00 PM for the event of the Fireman’s Parade. Please be noted that during this time movement of traffic inside the town will be limited.
On Saturday Urbanna Town will be closed for all vehicles from 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM. All the directions for traffic control are given by the Virginia State Police and Middlesex Country Sheriff.
It’s the 65th Oyster Celebration!
Virginia Oysters
The best food tells the story of the place it’s from. Eating an oyster in Virginia is the character of our waters in one fast, advanced taste. The oyster tells guests a story in every shell. This is often why Virginia is most famous for Oyster Lovers.
Growing within the world-famous and its tributaries, Virginia oysters are in eight totally different regions in the world, and isn’t it amazing?
Oysters food tastes the best waterside in Virginia, however, this internationally distributed delicacy delivers notes of bay breezes, salt water, sunshine, and side views whatever they’re enjoying.
You can eat oysters like a true Urbanna Virginian year-round, thanks to several festivals and events, like the traditional Chesapeake Bay oyster roasts and Marquee Virginia oyster events including the Urbanna Oyster Festival.
Oyster Flavors
There are many different flavors and many talented and professional chefs out there. So you are most welcome to spend some quality time with friends and family on the Virginia Oyster Trail and raise a shell to what you love most.
1. LOWER BAY WESTERN SHORE
Mild saltiness moving to a sweet finish.
2. TIDEWATER
Salty oyster food plate with sweetness and a smooth delicious finish.
3. TANGIER/MIDDLE BAY
Traditional Virginia Oyster flavor with a grain of salt and sweet, and savory butter/creamy finish.
4. LOWER BAY EASTERN SHORE
Salty and creamy with a soft sweetness and a quick finish.
5. UPPER BAY WESTERN SHORE
Sweetwater oyster with a light cream taste.
6. MIDDLE BAY WESTERN SHORE
Lil a bit salty with cream or butter.
7. SEASIDE
Saltiness softens into a taste of sweet butter and cream at the finish.
8. UPPER BAY EASTERN SHORE
Classic Virginia delights oyster flavor with Lil bit of salt and sweetness, with a savory finish.
Oyster and WaterMan Tour
Step into the Urbanna Virginia boater for the day, and taste the cool freshest seafood you may ever experience in your lifetime, straight from the water around you live in. you will see first-hand what it takes to induce fresh, local food from our rivers and bay to your table.
Waterman Tours You Can Enjoy
- Escape to the Eastern Shore The Nature Bus Tour
- Oyster Wine Tour – Chesapeake Bay
- Pleasure House Oyster Farm Tours – Hampton Roads
- Chessie Seafood and Aquafarms Tours – Chesapeake Bay
- Virginia Watermen’s Heritage Tour Program – Chesapeake Bay
- Saturday Escapes – Hampton Roads
FOOD & DRINK TOURS
Before you head out on tour, walk around Virginia’s beautiful down streets to sample their very important dishes from their absolute best chefs. Interesting new enjoyable events are hot spots for fresh dishes. Mark, your calendar to eat and drink as much as you can enjoy the days that are spent well in Urbanna, Virginia.
Seafoods
- Raw
- Steamed
- Roasted
- Rockefeller
- Fried
- Stewed
- Oysters in a Pot Pie
- Festival food fare like BBQ
- Crab Bisque
Special Food & Drink Tours
- Afton Hop On Tour – Charlottesville
- Old Towne Petersburg Food Tour – Petersburg
- Arts District Food Tour – Richmond
- Carytown Food Tour – Richmond
- Church Hill Food Tour – Richmond
- Richmond Booze and Bites Tour – Richmond
- Oyster Wine Tour – Shacklefords
- Richmond Brewery Tours – Richmond
- River City Food Tours – Richmond
- Art of Enjoying Richmond – Richmond
- Charlottesville Evening Delight Food Tour – Charlottesville
- Pleasure House Oyster Farm Tours – Beach
- Chessie Seafood and Aquafarms Tours – Hayes
- Gardens Well-Tended – Richmond
- Give Me Liberty- A colonial heritage tour – Richmond
- Homestead Creamery Tours – Wirtz
- James Monroe The Era of Good Feelings – Richmond
- Meet Four Virginia Presidents – Richmond
- Stone Brewing Factory Tours – Richmond
- RVATukTuk -Richmond City Tours – Richmond
Virginia Oyster Festival Events
During this popular food festival, you can expect to experience a wide variety of events to which is,
- Seafood trails
- Oyster hot spots
- Oyster opening (shucking) championships / The Oyster ‘Olympics’ or World Oyster Championship
- Foodie talks & tasting events
- Food provenance tours
- Sample delights at the intimate food villages
- Best Dressed Lady competition
- Cooking demonstrations
- Live music
- Fireman Parade at Friday 7.00 PM and Saturday 2.00 PM
- Cooking demonstrations
- ‘Hot Oyster Awards’ cooking challenge and more.
Don’t miss out on the amazing Oyster Shucking Contest Saturday behind the Festival premises Firehouse on Sat at 11 am.
And there are some Individual areas for Virginia Wine Tasting and Craft Brew Tastings for 21+ years for $10 each.
Urbanna Oyster Festival Highlight Events
Oyster Festival Education Day
The Urbanna oyster festival’s Education Day will be on the 3rd of November 2022 from 2.00 PM onwards. The main ambition of this special event is to make people aware of and understand the Chesapeake Bay, the area’s ecology, related history, heritage, and future to Middlesex Country area students and the general public who come to enjoy the Urbanna oyster festival.
As for the special programs for education day, Chesapeake Bay Foundation boat trips and education day featured exhibition by Chesapeake Bay is organized. Every Thursday before the oyster festival begins, education day will be held.
The Urbanna Festival Queen and Little Miss Spat Competition
In the past, the Urbanna oyster festival queen and little miss spat was a beauty pageant. But now, this long-standing tradition is a scholarship-based competition. Oyster festival queen and little miss apart will receive academic scholarships. The participants of the contest must be high school and residents of Middlesex Country. All the contestants of the queen pageant mentor a first-grade co-participant as little miss spat.
The competition starts in early summer, and the crowning ceremony will be held on 4th November at 4.00 PM.
Oyster Festival Education Day
The Urbanna oyster festival’s Education Day will be on the 3rd of November 2022 from 2.00 PM onwards. The main ambition of this special event is to make people aware of and understand the Chesapeake Bay, the area’s ecology, related history, heritage, and future to Middlesex Country area students and the general public who come to enjoy the Urbanna oyster festival.
As for the special programs for education day, Chesapeake Bay Foundation boat trips and education day featured exhibition by Chesapeake Bay is organized. Every Thursday before the oyster festival begins, education day will be held.
The Urbanna Festival Queen and Little Miss Spat Competition
In the past, the Urbanna oyster festival queen and little miss spat was a beauty pageant. But now, this long-standing tradition is a scholarship-based competition. Oyster festival queen and little miss apart will receive academic scholarships. The participants of the contest must be high school and residents of Middlesex Country. All the contestants of the queen pageant mentor a first-grade co-participant as little miss spat.
The competition starts in early summer, and the crowning ceremony will be held on 4th November at 4.00 PM.
The Urbanna Oyster Festival’s Virginia State Oyster Shucking Competition.
Don’t miss out on the amazing Oyster Shucking Contest Saturday behind the Festival premises Firehouse on Sat at 11 am.
And you have to sign up for this event at 10.00 AM on Saturday, November 5th.
Here are the competition rules if you are planning to participate.
- Al the professional-level contestants must bring their photo ID or provide valid ID documents to prove that they are a resident of Virginia.
- The amateur or the beginner level is open to all. If the winner is a Virginia resident, they may forward to the professional level. If not, they cannot move to the professional level.
For your information, the world’s best oyster shuckers participated in this event. And the winner of the competition will be qualified as the state champion, and then they can contest in National Oyster shacking competition in St. Mary’s, Maryland. The national winner will advance to participate in the world championship in Galway, Ireland.
The Urbanna Oyster Festival’s Antique Car Show.
The auto show will begin on Saturday 5th of November from 9.00 AM onwards. You will be able to see a lot of vintage beauties. The auto show will be held at the corner of Waverly and Virginia Streets. The antique care winners chosen by the voting event of each category will be featured in the oyster festival parade on Saturday at 2.00 PM.
The Urbanna Oyster Festival’s Fireman’s Parade.
The parade event begins at 7.00 PM on 5th November 2022.
In 1939 Urbanna implemented the first volunteer fire company in Middlesex Country, and they received their first fire truck, a 500-gallon ford pumper.
With time the parade on Saturday became so large that the festival organizers decided to have s “firemen’s parade” on Friday night. And we guarantee you will not forget this parade soon. Then men and women who unselfishly protect property and lives and a lot of vehicles involved in this process participate in this parade. Including giant ladder trucks, small brush trucks, ambulances, and fire vehicles.
The Urbanna Oyster Festival’s Parade
The parade will begin on the 5th of November 2022 at 2.00 PM. the parade is the most exciting and the most awaited part of the oyster festival. The parade will consist of local high school bands, Samira, hillbillies of shrines, three-wheelers, five carts, and mini trucks racing around the parade to amuse the crowd. And the parade will lead by the Grand Marshal and Captain witht the 2-17 oyster festival queen and little miss spat. This event is a lifetime souvenir for anyone participating in the oyster festival.
Festival Areas and Activities
And there are some Individual areas for Virginia Wine Tasting and Craft Brew Tastings for 21+ years for $10 each.
- Wine Tasting Area-this is one of the most popular areas of the festival. Each year this area is full of beat wineries and vineyards from all over Virginia. The wine-tasting area will be open from 11.00 AM to 5.00 PM
- This year, wineries- Jolene Winners, Mettaponi Winners, Saude Creek Vineyards, Williamsburg Winery, and Zoll WIneyard.
Come and enjoy the best wines with some oysters and have a great time on your weekend!
- The Urbanna Oyster Festival’s Craft Beer Tasting
Explore the craft beer tasting area and taste some of the best breweries all over Virginia. The area will be open on Saturday and Sunday with delicious craft beers and oysters.
- Entry fee- 10$. It includes four tastings and a souvenir glass.
- You will taste craft beer from these Virginia breweries.
- Ardent
- Blue Mountain
- Bold Rock
- Devil’s Backbone
- Hardywood
- New Realm
- Port City
- That Damn Mary
To know the location, please check the map.
- The Urbanna Oyster Festival’s Water Font and Marine Science Legacy Program
If you are interested in local aquaculture and the preservation of the Chesapeake Bay, you can explore this event. The Fairfield Foundation, Watermen’s Museum, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Virginia Tech, Colonial Seaport Foundation, and the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Team organizes the program.
If anyone thinks the educational programs are boring, you need to participate in this event because with the activities, and you can have fun while learning. Get on lynx boats and learn how to sail them. Learn the importance of oysters in water purification and be an archeologist to mine some artifacts.
EXPERIENCE THE VIP OYSTER LOVER!
Every VIP Holder Can Receive The Following:
- Access to 3 welcome tents throughout Urbanna throughout the festival – city marina ( at Tidewater Oyster Farms), Craft brewage Tent( at Strawberry Street Cafe) & wine tasting Tent (at Rappahannock Oyster Company)
- Exclusive VIP tables & seating
- Support from a festival caretaker to assist you navigate the event
- Bottled waters
- Six wine tastings
- Six brewage tastings
- Two oyster shooters
- Six oyster Tastings
- navigate the event
- Private washroom facilities
- Discounts at local businesses- Nov 15, 2021 – Apr 15, 2022
- VIP seating at Saturday’s 11AM Shucking Contest
- 65th commemorating Urbanna Oyster festival poster
What To Bring To The VIP Experience
Definitely Bring
- Your driver’s license or National Identity Card to check your identity-you must be over 21 years
- The email you received, A printout or a screenshot of the email you received to verify the VIP ticket you purchase
- Since you will have to walk a pair of comfortable shoes
- Cash- parking is cash only and there could be some vendors you should not miss that may not have Card Reader
- And make sure that you tag along with your sense of fun and adventure
Consider Bringing
- A rain jacket or umbrella
- Portable phone charger if you feel like you gonna need it
- To make sure that you are having some great shots of you and your friend consider bringing a Go-Pro or a Selfie Stick
Leave At Home
- Pet are not allowed in VIP tents so you must leave them t home or anywhere safe
- Do not bring your Drones, try to use your Smart Phone or Go-Pro to take shots
- And please leave your valuables at home
When and Where To Check-In
Check-in locations are marked on the Festival Map and at the Festival Headquarters. So, make sure that you check the locations before coming in. Each ticket holder will receive a lanyard, a wristband, a swag bag full of VIP treats, and a commemorative poster.
The hospitality tents are open for VIP holders and will be open from 10.00 AM to 5. 00 PM on Friday, Nov 5th, and from 10.00 AM to 5.00 am on Nov 6th.
Important Note:
Please ensure that the wristband and lanyard you received are always with you. And show it at each entrance to the VIP tents and when receiving your food because your wristband will be marked. You must receive all six oysters in your VIP package from one place. You may select three vendors from VIP tent oyster vendors as you wish. The VIP oyster card is in your lanyard, and you must show it to the oyster vendors to receive your oyster tastings.
What is Virginia’s River Realm?
Full of pleasant surprises, hidden gems, and friendly small-town spirit. The 465 miles of bounds, eight nice tiny cities, and many unique attractions invite guests to enjoy the wonder of an ideal oyster, the promise of a back road or secret cove, and therefore the pleasure of sharing a table with friends. an area wherever you’ll catch your breath, calm your mind and live your dreams.
Oysters are back in a huge way because of the hard work of the watermen and oyster growers of Virginia’s river. In their waters, Crassostrea Virginia (that’s their biological name) has created a comeback, that any sports team would be covetous of. They’re shipping worldwide therefore return and taste what the fuss is all concerning.
Special Things Regarding Virginia’s Oysters
$4 Million
WORTH OF OYSTERS
SOLD ANNUALLY
1/2 Million
POUNDS OF OYSTERS
SOLD ANNUALLY
92%
OF ALL VA’S OYSTERS
ARE HARVESTED HERE
Best 4 Places to Enjoy The Virginia Oyster on National Oyster Day
Deep down in Virginia’s River Realm lies one of all nature’s most respected resources – The oyster. They’re full of nutrients, filter our waters of pollution, and have a flavor that sparks the imagination of foods all around the world. If you’re an admirer of those coastal treats, they tend to welcome you to our special region of the world wherever many of the oysters you get pleasure from deriving. Here are 3 places to taste the Virginia oyster in honor of National Oyster Day…
1. Pack a Picnic with J & W Seafood Marketplace in Virginia
Enjoy the oyster on your terms. set up a picnic and add J & W Food Market to your search list. The market makes a specialty of take-out, recent, native seafood, as well as raw oysters. Add sauces to your basket looking on however you’d wish to get pleasure from your oysters.
2. Rockefeller style at Eckhard’s
For an opulent take on oysters, visit this German-inspired restaurant’s elegant eating area with cozy fireplaces. Eckhard’s eating place is located just before you cross the Rappahannock stream Bridge.
3. Dockside dining at Urbanna food and Raw Bar
If you’re a sunset junkie, take a ride to the present hidden local secret. It’s familiar to have one of all the most lovely sunsets in Urbanna. Step onto the dock, wherever oysters and different contemporary seafood pass on a daily basis. enjoy fresh, roasted, or cooked oysters aboard a range of different food classics, wine, and beer.
4. Oysters 3 ways at Merroir
Merroir’s is located right on the Rappahannock River, dominating where the oysters are grown. get pleasure from oysters in 3 other ways as you watch deadrise boats are available in and out of the dock.
FAQs on Urbanna Oyster Festival 2022
- What is the date of this year’s Urbanna Oyster Festival?
The Urbanna Oyster festival will be held on the 4th and 5th of November 2022
- What are the hours of the festival?
The Festival will begin on Friday at 10.00 AM and continue until midnight with the fireman’s parade. But most vendors will be closed by 8.00 PM. and on Friday the festival begins at 9.00 AM and continue until 5.00 PM
- Is there any entry fee to attend the festival?
No, you don’t have to pay any entry fee for the festival. But you have to pay a parking fee of 20$
- Locations of the parking for the Urbanna Oyster Festival?
The official parking location for the festival is on the East and West sides of the town. There is a 20$ parking fee which contributes to the programs related to the Urbanna Oyster Festival. If you are confused please check the map.
- Is handicap parking available?
Yes. there is a handicap parking available on Red Hill Drive and Virginia Street
- Is there a shuttle from out-of-town parking to the town limit?
yes. there is a shuttle run by the Urbanna Fire Department. You can find it on the East side of town. And there is a suggested donation of 2$ per ride. Later used for the benefit of the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department.
- If I park in town will I be able to get in and out easily?
It depends on the crowd side. As for now, traffic control is decided as follows,
On Friday Urbanna town will be closed for all vehicles from 5:00 PM to 9.00 PM for the event of the Fireman’s Parade. Please be noted that during this time movement of traffic inside the town will be limited.
On Saturday Urbanna Town will be closed for all vehicles from 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM. All the directions for traffic control are given by the Virginia State Police and Middlesex Country Sheriff.
- Are there public restrooms?
Public restrooms are located in every convenient place for public use. You can find the location on the map.
If you want a VIP experience with a private restroom please check out VIP Oyster experince
- Can I bring my pet/s?
No. your pets are not allowed here. The organizers of the festival politely ask the participants to leave them at home, especially the VIP ticket holders.
- Are wheelchairs or strollers available for rent?
No. if you need them, you have to bring one for your own
- Can I bring my own golf cart to use in town?
Unless you are a Festival volunteer or first responder you can’t bring your own golf carts. It is reserved only for Festival volunteers and first responders.
- My kids want to bring their skateboards or hoverboards, id that allowed?
No. it is better to leave them at home.
- What is the policy on coolers and alcoholic beverages?
Alcoholic beverages or coolers are prohibited from bringing to the festival area.
- Are there opportunities to volunteer with the Urbanna Oyster Festival?
Yes. if you are interested, you are always welcome. For further information Pam Simon via oysterfestival@va.metrocast.net or phone:804-758-2122
- If I want to be a vendor, who do I contact?
Please fill out the application on the official website of the oyster festival or contact the Festival office-804-758-2122.
Thank you for your interest!
- Help! I lost something. Is there a lost and found?
If you lost something please check the Information Trailer located at the corner of Virginia St. and Rappahannock Ave. or contact the organizer after the festival via email: oysterfestival@va.metrocast.net or phone: 804-758-2122
- When are the roads in and out closed/open?
On Friday Urbanna town will be closed for all vehicles from 5:00 PM to 9.00 PM for the event of the Fireman’s Parade. Please be noted that during this time movement of traffic inside the town will be limited.
On Saturday Urbanna Town will be closed for all vehicles from 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM. All the directions for traffic control are given by the Virginia State Police and Middlesex Country Sheriff.
